The Palace of Illusions

In this chapter, we are introduced to the novel’s female narrator, initially named Draupadi. She later takes the name Panchaali. Panchaali begs her nurse, Dhai Ma, to tell her stories, and “the one I made her tell over and over was the story of my birth” (1). Prior to Panchaali’s birth, her father, King Drupad, prayed to the gods for 30 days along with his entire court. Finally, the king poured ghee (clarified butter) into fire. Panchaali’s brother, Dhri, emerged from the flames, along with a prophecy that claimed he would avenge his father. Next, Panchaali emerged, and voices said, “Take good care of her, for she will change the course of history” (5). According to Dhai Ma, Drupad picks both of the children up and names them. Panchaali, however, notes that Drupad only wanted to pick Dhri up. She clings to Dhri, forcing their father to pick both of them up.

The author uses this chapter to explore Panchaali’s relationship with Krishna, the king of Dwarka and the advisor to King Drupad. We later learn that Krishna is a divine incarnation of the god Vishnu. Panchaali and Krishna get along well because they are “both severely dark skinned” (8).